FIFA established a framework for compensating clubs when a player on their roster sustains an injury during official or friendly matches with the national squad. When the calendar includes a break for national team duty, clubs naturally worry about injuries and what fans call the ‘FIFA virus.’ While representing one’s country is a career highlight for any footballer, repeated injuries can create a heavy burden on the club that pays a player’s salary.
To address this risk, FIFA put in place a compensation mechanism under the Player Protection Program. This system obligates FIFA to provide financial support to a club whenever a player is injured while with the national team and is unavailable for club duties due to that injury.
What is the daily compensation to clubs for each injury day?
Under the Player Protection Program, if a footballer’s injury keeps him out of club activities for more than 28 days, FIFA commits to paying the player’s club 20,548 euros for every day of absence beyond that 28-day threshold.
Even with this compensation, clubs featuring high-profile signings and substantial salaries—such as Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Juventus, Real Madrid, and Barcelona—may still bear a large portion of the cost for their stars when they are sidelined by international duties. Gavi, the recent example cited in various discussions, missed a full season with Barcelona and the European Championship and Olympic commitments due to injury sustained while with the national team.
If the injury lasts 28 days or fewer… compensation does not apply
The calculation for any compensation is based on the player’s fixed salary, excluding bonuses or variable incentives. If the injury results in a player’s absence for 28 days or fewer, FIFA does not pay the daily indemnity.
FIFA may cover the full annual salary if the injury endures for an entire year
The daily payment applies only after the 28-day mark and is determined by the player’s fixed salary without accounting for variable pay. The program sets a ceiling for serious injuries at 7.5 million euros, covering the year-long absence of a player in a case that meets the program’s criteria. In practice, this means a club could receive up to that amount to offset a year of player unavailability.
Industry reports have floated figures suggesting that around 80 million euros per year are allocated for compensating clubs whose players are sidelined during international duty, whether in official tournaments or friendly fixtures.
Notes and context around these arrangements often circulate in football media and among club executives, illustrating how international duty can intersect with club finances and player availability. The program’s intent is to provide a safety net for clubs facing extended withdrawals due to national team commitments, while balancing the interests of players seeking to represent their countries.